Wild meat for today and tomorrow

Worldwide, the meat of wild animals is sought after for a range of reasons. In remote rural communities, it is a primary source of protein and a buffer to economic shocks such as crop failures. But, it is also a tasty treat for city dwellers; a luxury good illegally traded to international markets and a major driver of biodiversity loss.

As populations grow and demand booms, the question arises as to how to ensure sustainable management strategies in support of both people and wildlife. In response to a call from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) secretariat, researchers with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and partner organizations reviewed the available knowledge on wild meat use in tropical and subtropical regions. They outlined key strategies to improve its sustainability. The study has now launched as a joint CBD-CIFOR publication.